Over the Bank Holiday weekend, Madeira Bowling Club had eleven teams from the club participate in the Croft Triples Tournament, which took place over two days.

The event consisted of an eight-end knockout game which concluded in a thrilling final match.

The final had teams representing England v Scotland.

Members David Tucker, Graham Cottey and skip Roger Williams were representing England, while skip Bob Walker, Barbara Walker, and Steve Moodie were playing for Scotland.

The Scots led initially with a 7-0 score, but it was a close call with each side scoring 9 shots each towards the end.

Graham Cottey and Roger Williams salvaged the match for England with strategic short deliveries and an inch-perfect bowl. e In other news, Madeira ladies played two matches in the Exeter & District Ladies Triples League.

They won all six points in their first match against Exonia.

From left: Graham Cottey, Roger Williams and David Tucker winners of the Croft Triples From left: Graham Cottey, Roger Williams and David Tucker winners of the Croft Triples (Image: Jude Latta)

Nevertheless, they didn't fare as well in the match against Heavitree, who is currently ranked third in the league.

Despite the hiccup, Madeira ladies have a clear lead with 50 points, fifteen more than second-placed Heavitree.

Hence, promotion to the next division in 2025 is a foregone conclusion.

On August 29, Madeira Bowling Club tackled Bitton Park BC in an away match.

Previous plans for a home match in May were thwarted due to flooding from rainfall.

The match was a nail-biter with only one shot separating the two sides halfway through.

However, Bitton Park managed to pull ahead after the tea break, winning by 9 shots with a final score of 101 to Madeira's 92.

The top rink was awarded to the team led by Lin Halpin along with Alan Porter and Geoff Furminger, who achieved a 12-shot win.

Special to note is Ann Maloney who made her debut as skip in a club match and led her team to an 8-point victory.

The following day saw Madeira's Keith Bister, Kevin McLean and Graham Cottey lose out in the quarter-finals of the Bowls Devon Mens Unbadged Triples competition against a team from Sir Francis Drake BC, Plymouth.

Yet, the loss should not detract from their significant achievement of making it to the quarter-finals.

Finally, Madeira Bowling Club's kitchen, which handles a vast amount of catering, has earned a 5-star rating from the East Devon District Council.

The achievement is due to hard work led by Sue Humphries, and her capable team of Kathy Munro, Kate Lee-Smith, Christine Wilkinson, Susie Roughton and Ian Harvey.